On November 8, 2010, the Dolphin Resort Hotel received several dolphins from the Taiji slaughter. We have this video, taken by Libby Katsinis, of a dolphin being loaded into a tank. Show this to your friends who like to patronize dolphin shows. Think of this when you visit the annual IMATA conference in Boston this year. Let their members try to tell you this is an aberration. It is not. We regularly witness this type of behavior.

Frightened dolphin delivered to resort on November 8th

alt=""

Video credit:Libby Katsinis (3 minutes)

Much has been said lately accusing my daughter and me of being racist. It is a coincidence that the word “Japanese” pertains to a particular ethnicity (race), but it also pertains to the citizens of the nation of Japan. When we use the word Japanese, we are referring to the citizens. I am not aware of any instance where either Elora or I have referenced the Japanese race. Those who have no other argument while they are supporting atrocities, which the government of Japan condones and encourages, are leveling the charge of racism. Because of the Japanese government’s support for the barbaric and uncivilized activities against whales and dolphins, the entire people (read citizens) of Japan must bear the shame and the world’s condemnation. When Sea Shepherd takes on the baby seal skinners in Canada, no one charges “racism.” They are Canadians, and all Canadians must bear the shame and the world’s condemnation for the government sponsored seal hunt.

This battle is not about a people or their culture. This is about sanity, our collective sanity. This is about the fact that our oceans are dying and we are allowing the destruction of wild and free creatures who have rights, at least equal to our own, to peacefully co-exist in the world.

Even those who do not subscribe to our position that dolphins and whales are non-human persons, would never support the entire annihilation of a family unit. Deer hunters in North America and kangaroo hunters in Australia know better than to slaughter the entire herd. Even without government regulations, they would have the sense not to do that.

Those who only see the dolphins and whales as a food source, no different than a chicken or a cow, would not tolerate such barbaric torture and slaughter of livestock. When video was leaked of cattle in US slaughterhouses being moved along by means of a forklift, the hue and cry was immense. Changes were made and all over the world; civilized governments enforced strict codes of conduct for abattoirs. Civilized parents do not intentionally poison their children with mercury-contaminated food.

There is no argument, none, which can support the senseless cruelty we witness here on a regular basis. Japan is an otherwise advanced and civilized nation. Why does the government support this behavior and why do the (Japanese) citizens allow it?

stone dolphin (click to enlarge)To borrow a line from South Park’s parody of Sea Shepherd, I have to ask why the molesters in Taiji hate dolphins so much? When David was here with his children, he used rocks on the beach to make a dolphin figure. Yesterday, the molesters were not content with shedding the blood of dolphins. They destroyed the rock dolphin as well. This act did not sit well with Glenda so she has rebuilt the stone dolphin.

In addition to Japanese companies, find out which companies support the dolphinariums. Contact those companies and let them know what they are supporting and how you feel about it. Let your conscience be your guide on whether or not you will buy from them.

If you are in Boston in early December, let these molesters know what you think about them. Get their photographs so the world can be shown the faces of those who drive the slaughter and imprisonment. The annual IMATA conference is in Boston this year.

Keep up the barrage on your own government and the embassies and consulates of Japan the world over. Every time dolphins are pushed into the Cove, let them have it. Every time there is blood in the water, let them have it. Do not grow weary for you are being heard. Together we will see an end to the slaughter of whales and dolphins in Japan and by Japanese crews the world over.

We had to say farewell today to Cove Guardians Dinielle and Rosie. They will be missed. Rosie is leaving Taiji so she can join the crew of the Steve Irwin and continue her fight against Japanese atrocities.

It is unfortunate that the reputation of an entire nation is being tarnished by the evil and shameful deeds of a handful of men and women in Taiji. To join us (voluntarily, and completely at your own cost and risk) in Taiji, write to me at inform-us@seashepherd.org. I will get back to you, but please be patient. I cannot keep an eye on the Cove and answer email at the same time. Contributions to Sea Shepherd to keep our official presence here are needed and welcome. I am the current official Sea Shepherd representative and will be replaced by Michael Dalton when I leave on December 9, 2010.